Mbappé Congratulates Hakimi: “You Deserve It, King of Africa”
Events – Agencies
French star Kylian Mbappé, striker for Real Madrid and captain of his national team, congratulated his former teammate Achraf Hakimi, right-back for Paris Saint-Germain, on winning the 2025 African Footballer of the Year award.
Hakimi received the award at the CAF (Confederation of African Football) Awards ceremony held in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, on Wednesday evening, surpassing Egyptian star Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray.
Mbappé shared a photo of Hakimi holding the award on his official Instagram account, writing: “Love you, my brother, King of Africa. This award is more than deserved.”
Hakimi and Mbappé shared a strong friendship during their three years together at Paris Saint-Germain from 2021 to 2024, before Kylian moved to Real Madrid on a free transfer.
The Moroccan international joined Paris Saint-Germain from Inter Milan in the summer of 2021 for €60 million and extended his contract until 2029 at the end of last season.
